Unions want talks with Abbott

THE Australian Manufacturing Workers Union wants to meet Opposition Leader Tony Abbott over his stance on car industry subsidies.

The Coalition has been debating whether to maintain its current policy to cut $500 million from industry assistance, but Mr Abbott is standing by the policy.

AMWU national secretary Dave Oliver says he hopes to meet with Mr Abbott when Parliament returns to convince him to change his mind.

"We need Tony Abbott to come out to say that they will support industry programs and maintain the current level of funding for the auto industry now," he said.

"Tony Abbott has been running around the last 12 months in workplaces in the manufacturing sector claiming he supports manufacturing workers in this country, so now it's his opportunity to put his money where his mouth is - we want to engage with them."